NY Lottery: Don't buy kids scratch-offs

The state Gaming Commission and its partners are re-releasing this ad started in 2015 that aims to discourage parents from buying their kids scratch offs for the holidays.
Joseph Spector, Albany Bureau

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The New York Lottery is discouraging adults from buying scratch off tickets for children, saying it could lead to gambling problems later in life.(Photo: TJN file photo)Buy Photo

ALBANY - The state wants to remind New Yorkers that giving minors lottery scratch-off tickets might not be the best idea this holiday season.

The Responsible Play Partnership, made of up of the New York Lottery and other state agencies, and the National Council on Problem Gambling have launched their 4th annual “Lottery Tickets are Not Child’s Play” campaign which encourages adults not to gift scratch off tickets to minors.

The campaign includes public service announcements airing across New York.

“People giving out gifts this holiday season need to recognize that lottery tickets are not appropriate gifts for children,” said Arlene González-Sánchez, commissioner of the state’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

“These games can put young people at risk of developing problems with gambling, and we need to ensure that we take whatever steps possible to avoid those issues."

While it is not illegal for minors under age 18 to play a scratch off ticket, it is illegal for them to purchase one. In places where alcohol is served, a person must be at least age 21 to buy a lottery ticket.

If someone under 18 is gifted a scratch off ticket and they win less than $5,000, the state Gaming Commission, which oversees the lottery, can give the money to an adult member of the family.

Or when the money is more than $5,000, the commission will deposit the winnings into an adult family member or guardian's bank account. The money can then be dealt with and distributed at the adult’s discretion.